My Taurus GL

[Mr95Gl]

A "rebuilt" tranny, and starter for $2600? That's pretty damn steep.

 

[Racer X]

o and before i forget a mtx off a sho will not fit the 3.8 motor or anything other then a sho without some major modding i already checked into that at a junkyard because they have the mating books.

Their books are wrong.

The MTX-IV from the SHO will bolt to the following Taurus engines without modification:

3.0L (KOA) SHO V6 (factory application)
3.2L (KOB) SHO V6
3.0L Vulcan V6 (1986-1995 for sure. 1996-Present, well I don't know)
3.8L Essex V6 (1988-1995)
3.8L **/Police Essex V6 (1989-1995)

For the Vulcan, IIRC you can use the clutch and flywheel from a Tempo V6. This is how it was done by a TCCA member who swapped the MTX-IV into his Vulcan equipped V6. He then proceeded to throw a diff pin due to extensive episodes of "droppen de clutchen", as he called it. :shakehead

For the Essex motors, I never did find a suitable flywheel and clutch setup.

For either swap, using the SHO MTX subframe will make things WORLDS easier.

That said... I'll go ahead and jump on the "it's easier to buy a SHO" bandwagon. Because it is.

 

[FuzzyFish]

Honestly it's easier to buy a SHO. But if you are dead set on converting it for some reason (no rust, and super-clean chassis).

Use the 3.2 ATX, most everything physically bolts up. Biggest issue will be wiring the SHOs harness in which will be a royal pain in the butt to say the least. Given the lack of market value on the SHO there are very few reasons to do this swap as it's almost always cheaper to get a real SHO.

 

[johndallara]

SHO vs. Vulcan upgrade

I would agree that buying SHO is best option overall.

That said, there are some interesting options upgrading the vulcan OHV motor. Basic upgrades to the GL are helped by the fact that most non-engine upgrades for SHO are good for std taurus.

My first taurus was 89 GL upgraded to SC trim. cosmetics included SHO front and rear bumpers, also full SHO suspension w/ SHO springs 24/26 swaybar setup & H-brace. Great stable ride w/ good handling. Engine upgrade used SHO cold air intake w/ K&N 3080 filter, custom 3" tube to t-body, 1.73 roller-rockers (best mod I did), as well as replacement CAT (a weakness in this setup) and dynomax exhaust. Also got superchip upgrade for ECM.

Overall, probably only increased HP from stock 140 to maybe 160+ even w/ all of that work. Car was a great daily driver and definite conversation piece. Compared to all of the work, could have done same on a similar aged SHO and would end up w/ more HP and same handling.

JD
89 GL/SC (retired)
95 ATX
95 MTX (construction)

 

[TrueBlue]

What's "SC" trim? I keep thinking that you supercharged it.

Set the budget that you would have used to convert the GL to SHO power, then buy a SHO in that range. $0-10k

Although, there was a TCCA COTM that was a GL swapped with a Yamaha. I remember it being very cool

 

[Racer X]

What's "SC" trim? I keep thinking that you supercharged it.

Set the budget that you would have used to convert the GL to SHO power, then buy a SHO in that range. $0-10k

Although, there was a TCCA COTM that was a GL swapped with a Yamaha. I remember it being very cool

I actually saw that car at one of the NESHOC breakfasts. He definitely needed a new front motor mount, but that car definitely got the sleeper bonus points.